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High-Five

From Wired How-To Wiki

For anyone who spent their formative years in peer groups favoring the Vulcan salute, the high-five can be an intimidating prospect. Fear not, there's a science to the soul-clap. Just follow these simple steps.

When you've mastered the Classic, take it to the next level with one of the advanced variations.

This article is a wiki. Got extra variations on the high-five you want to share? Go ahead and add them. Post videos if you've got them, too!

Contents

The Classic

1. Always initiate. He who launches the high-five owns the high-five. Engage your upper-arm muscles, keep your wrist firm, and propel your hand like the meteor of awesome it is. (Maintain altitude and an open hand — this ain't no fist bump.) Your high-five can only surrender.

2. Don't look at the hand. That looming palm is a moving, unpredictable target. Instead, keep your eye on the elbow; that'll automatically line up your mitts.

3. Cup your palm. As you reach the high point of the arc, make your hand slightly concave to create that satisfying thunderclap.

The Todd

Illustration by Jason Lee

Is your hero the misunderstood, hypersexual surgeon on Scrubs? Divert attention from pending sex-harassment suits by courting favor with coworkers. Snip the sleeves off your shirt and give 'em some skin!

1. If your mark is reluctant, play the pity card, imploring him to "show the [your name here] some love."

2. Now hit his hand as hard as you can. You should hear a whip-crack.

3. Snap your fingers.

Video demo

The Top Gun

Illustration by Jason Lee

Is your ego writing checks your body can't cash? You and your wingman require a sick move to show up those who don't feel the need for speed.

1. Initiate the classic move (impact at 12 o'clock), but make contact with only the outside edge of your hands.

2. Move your bogies past one anothers' and arc downward 180 degrees to slap a low five in the 6 o'clock position.

3. Howl, as if at the moon.

Video demo

The 21 Jump Street

Illustration by Jason Lee

Sure, your crack team never lets the captain down, but how do you show you've got each others' backs? Why, a multiman high-five, of course. There's no actual slap here, but your crew does things its own way.

How To Give A Pound

Similar to the High Five, in the sense that it's an alternative greeting to shaking hands, is the Pound. The Pound is exhibited usually in urban areas or between urban youths and adults. There are many versions, including many different hand positions and hand slapping, but the Pound is at the core of nearly all Hip Hop handshakes.
The most basic Pound is very simple and vital to making accquiantences in urban areas. A Pound is different from a bump (apparently popularized by Michelle Obama) but is also a way of giving dap or respect.

1. When approaching your target hold your arm out to the right (Pounds with the left are usually followed by "forgive the left") slightly away from the body, almost projecting the Pound to your target.
2. When you are within 2 feet of your subject, swing your hand to clasp his/hers. Your hand should be slightly cupped and you should aim to press thumb bases. Clasp your fingers over the back of your buddys thumb.
3. Now as soon as your hands clasp, pull your buddy towards you slightly, pressing the back of his hand to your chest and, with your left hand/arm, give him/her a half hug or pat on the back. This half hug can have an immedeate release (normal) or several seconds (if you haven't seen your buddy in a while, this is usually a good time for a "How's it going, brother?").
4. After the half hug, the hands slide back from their thumb-to-thumb grip to a four finger slide. Remember to curve your fingers slighty towards the end of the slide to create a light snapping move at the end of the pound.

This video shows two youths sharing a modified Pound, with 2 slaps before the basic pound and a tight snap off, but i think you'll see the basic Pound in there.

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